top of page
IMG_5602.JPG
CAFF55F9-F7A8-457D-8F36-E215676436B7.jpg

The Edina Band Experience

The Edina High School Band program offers a dynamic learning and performing community for our student performers. With a focus on educational excellence and preparing all students to realize their full potential, students are able to grow in a wide array of performing experiences including concert bands, jazz band, marching band, international tours and partnerships with guest conductors, ensembles and soloists.

Our 
Bands

Wondering about how students commonly progress through the band program?

Click here to learn more.

Act 2 - 124 of 144 (1).jpg

Concert Band

  • Our top auditioned band at the high school, under the direction of Paul Kile

  • For 64 consecutive years, has received a "Superior" rating, the highest rating possible, at the MSHSL Contests Concert

  • Made up of approximately 80 - 90 11th and 12th grade auditioned students annually who also participate in the Edina Hornet Marching Band and the Edina Pep Bands

  • Performances include a Fall concert, Winter Jubilee, Pops Concert and Spring Concert, and international tours every other year

band-members-.jpeg

Varsity Band

  • Our second auditioned band at the high school, under the direction of Andy Richter

  • Made up of approximately 85 auditioned 10th, 11th, 12th grade students annually who also participate in the Edina Hornet Marching Band and the Edina Pep Bands

  • Performances include a Fall concert, a Winter concert, March concert and Spring concert

B71188C2-2663-4A80-B664-301C8A9663CA.jpg

Symphonic Band

  • Our non-auditioned band at the high school, under the direction of Andy Richter

  • Made up of approximately 50 11th and 12th grade students who continue the joy of making music in band while also choosing whether to participate in the Edina Hornet Marching Band and the Edina Pep Bands

  • Performances include a Fall concert, a Winter concert, March concert and Spring concert

IMG_5542.JPG

10th Grade Band

  • Consisting of over 100 10th grade students under the direction of Paul Kile, 10th grade band is the last grade level band offering after which students choose to continue in an auditioned or non-auditioned band 

  • Performances include an Fall, Winter, March and Spring concert

IMG_5591.JPG

9th Grade Band

  • Consists of over 100 9th grade students split into four different sections, under the direction of Geneva Fitzsimonds

  • Performances include a November, March and May concert

IMG_5594.JPG

Marching Band

  • Consists of all high school band members from the Concert, Varsity, and 10th Grade Bands and is directed by Andrew Richter and assisted by Paul Kile, Geneva Fitzsimonds and other EPS Band Staff. Participation is optional for Symphonic Band students

  • With a focus on community and excellence, the Edina Marching Hornets perform for a wide variety of school, athletic, community and music events and is a tremendously unifying force in the Edina band program

Jazz Band

  • Edina Band has five different jazz bands - Jazz I and Jazz II, Soph Jazz and two 9th Grade Jazz Bands

band photo.jpg

Middle School Programming

Other Experiences

Collaborations

The Edina Band is fortunate enough to partner with many different professional musicians each year for many different things such as: guest conductors, lessons for musicians and shared performances.  Notable guests include: Encore Wind Ensemble, Chuck Lazarus (Trumpet), Chione Quintet, Lake Wobegon Brass Band, Tim Zavadil (Clarinet), MN Orchestra musicians Douglas Wright (Trombone) and Charles Lazarus (Trumpet), Dr. Phil Ostrander (Trombone), Sheldon Theater Brass Band, Dr. Karrin Meffert-Nelson (Clarinet).

Tours

One of the many exciting components of the Edina Band program is the opportunity for travel. The Edina Hornet Marching Band and the Concert Band are the two ensembles that tour on an every-other-year rotation. All students in grades 10-12 have the opportunity to travel on the marching band year as marching band involves all students. Concert Band tours internationally opposite the Marching Band.

​

In the past, Edina Band tour destinations have included Hawaii, Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore, Chicago, New York, Branson, San Diego, Florida and Caribbean cruises.

Other Musical Performances

  • 1960 Edina Morningside High SChool Band performs at The Midwest Clinic (IL)

  • 2015 Concert Band performs at MMEA

  • 2017 Concert Band performs at the ASBDA Region 2 Conference (MN)

  • 2019 Concert Band performs at the NBA Regional Conference (WI)

  • 2019 Concert Band performs at MMEA

  • 2023 Varsity Band performs at MMEA

  • 2024 Concert Band performs at the ASBDA 65th National Convention (MN)

bottom of page